TEXARKANA, Texas - Texas A&M University-Texarkana and BWI Companies, Inc. have entered a new academic partnership that will allow BWI employees to take courses at the university with reduced tuition prices. The partnership was officially launched with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding on May 9, 2024, at the BWI Companies, Inc. headquarters in Texarkana, Texas.

"We are proud to announce that BWI Companies, Inc. is A&M-Texarkana's newest community partner," said Texas A&M University-Texarkana President Dr. Ross Alexander. "BWI has been an important part of the community for more than 60 years and is a strong supporter of regional economic development as well as education at all levels. We are pleased to be able to help BWI employees fulfill their educational goals and further their careers."

"BWI Companies, INC. is pleased and excited to partner with A&M-Texarkana to offer BWI team members an opportunity to receive scholarship and tuition assistance for programs at A&M-Texarkana," Said BWI Companies, Inc. President and CEO Jim Bunch. "We feel this is a huge benefit to BWI team members, A&M-Texarkana and our community…a win-win-win!"

"I feel this partnership between BWI Companies, Inc. and Texas A&M-Texarkana will offer our 600 plus employees an opportunity to either start or further their education," added Co-President and CAO Robert Bunch. "This opportunity will help develop leaders and future growth of this company."

Under the terms of the new academic agreement all full-time employees of BWI Companies, Inc. will receive a tuition discount on all undergraduate, graduate, certificate, or micro-credential programs delivered in-person, online, or through a hybrid format. The agreement also waives the standard application fee. In addition to the tuition discount, any eligible employee who is a new student at the university will receive the First Flight Scholarship, which gives the new student their first class free if they are enrolled in at least 6 hours at the undergraduate or graduate level.

Employees wishing to take advantage of the new partnership must meet the admissions standards of the program to which they apply and must remain in good academic standing. For additional information about this and additional academic partnerships please visit the university website at www.tamut.edu/partnerships.